Robot umpires take to the field for baseball’s spring training
Technology and tradition are converging this spring training as MLB tries out AI-based umpires.
Maybe it’s time an eye exam for some MLB umpires.
At least LASIK, the vision correction surgery experts, think so.
During the Philadelphia Phillies game against the San Francisco Giants on April 14, catcher J.T. Realmuto was at the plate with two on base and two outs with the Phils trailing 8-4 in the bottom of the seventh.
On a 3-2 pitch, the keen-eyed Realmuto took what appeared to be a breaking ball on the outside of the plate. However, home plate umpire Tony Randazzo saw otherwise.
After first starting to trot toward first base for a walk, the usually mild-mannered Realmuto threw his hands up and grabbed his helmet before arguing the call with Randazzo.
The perceived blown call prompted this response from LASIK on X:
Randazzo’s missed call put an end to the rally for the Phillies, leading to an eventual 10-4 loss.
“That is way off the plate,” Phillies broadcast Tom McCarthy said “… Tony Randazzo has missed a couple tonight, but that was as egregious a miss as you will see from a home plate umpire.”
Former Phils GM and current color analyst echoed those sentiments.
“Oh my goodness, that’s an awful call,” Amaro said. “That is not a good call.”
With the loss, the Phillies fell to 9-7 on the season. The missed opportunity punctuated the Phillies’ recent offensive struggles that have led the team to lose four of five games.
Phillies fans react to Realmuto strikeout
Randazzo’s miss was obvious to fans and media.
Remembering Kyle Schwarber’s meltdown
This isn’t the first time a Phillies player has been upset with an umpire’s call.
One of the more famous incidents came in April 2022, when Kyle Schwarber lost it after being called out on strikes in the bottom of the ninth in a 1-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
After being rung up on a questionable third strike, Schwarber slammed his bat and helmet to the ground. He then went on an animated tirade to show home plate umpire Ángel Hernández all the ump’s missed calls around the plate that night.
Hernández retired in 2024 after reaching a financial settlement with MLB following a racial discrimination lawsuit. It ended Hernández long career, which was known for controversial and missed calls.
